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Theme Of Satire In Pride And Prejudice

1459 Words6 Pages
In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Mr. Collins’ marriage proposal to Elizabeth Bennet is instigated by society’s impetus for him to do so. Irony and satire are weaved within the proposal, ridiculing the litany of reasons given of why such an action is prompted because superficial reasons are presented as the basis of Mr. Collins’ rationale. Through employing satire and irony, Austen critiques the standard of a marriage proposal, the superficiality of the clergy, and the perception of women in the Regency era. Austen satirizes Mr. Collins’ approach of his proposal to Elizabeth. He dons on a pompous attitude and explains “[his] reasons for marrying are” such and such. By listing the reasons of why he is proposing, Mr. Collins becomes like a businessman who is bearing his contract, which stipulates all his conditions concerning his intended marriage to Elizabeth. This establishes the businesslike tone of the proposal, which is not supposed to be used while one is asking someone to be their partner and lover for forevermore; there is the absence of passion in the tone Mr. Collins dons for his proposal. Mr. Collins proceeds to state one reason for his proposal, which is him being “convinced [Elizabeth] will add very greatly to [his] happiness.” This presents the idea that Mr. Collins’ justifications is made only with his perspective in mind and disregards Elizabeth’s feelings on a matter that would greatly impact her future as an independent and strong-willed individual. For
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